I'm a programmer now, self taught all my IT skills when younger, and will pass on what i can. Recently bought my father his first computer for hos 50th birthday!
Caitriona Horan - Fri, 03/06/2011 - 12:23
I left a 25-year IT career 3 years ago to lecture at college in a different subject as 'geek' was never a good description of me, preferring people to computers. But now I do not have to cope with IT problems daily, I can use my knowledge to help others only when their lives can be enriched by IT
Ruth Cross - Fri, 03/06/2011 - 14:20
My father, who is 90, depends on his computer for keeping in touch with family and friends. He finds it difficult to read books as the print is too small and it is often difficult to find large print books he likes, so I am encouraging him to get a kindle.
I would like other older people to have the opportunities he has, to use modern technoloy to improve their lives.
Edward farrall - Fri, 03/06/2011 - 14:56
I worked with Adults with Learning Disabilities and or Physical Disabilities and sensory impairments. I have been in this career for 25 years years during which time there has been so much progress within Computer software and hardware. Apple in particular with their touch screen / swipe screen technology. Combined with Organisations who have developed assistive technology to enable people to have greater freedom and balanced with safety systems. Ie alarms for epilepsy, GPS watches for people who wander, door safety systems. People with Autism and PC's all of these areas are ones which open up new opportunities and enable and empower people with disabilities to have more choice and control in their own lives, (communication systems) i promote the use of this and i pro actively support people with disabilities to gain access to their own IT and i encourage anyone parting with a functional pc to consider who they pass this on to.
i know the true benefits that will come within the next 5 yrs regarding wireless technology and combined with assistive technology this will open up further areas.
I see only positive outcomes for people with disabilities.
Maria Gloyne - Fri, 03/06/2011 - 16:38
Being disabled and mostly house bound myself, I truly know how useful knowing how to use the internet can be. Whenever I talk to people I tell them how useful it is, not only for keeping in touch with people and so reducing isolation, but also for the many services you can use on it. I am often suprised how many people don't use it. I think everyone should be able to use the internet, its one of the best tools out there. I am doing a degree in IT with the Open university as I am not unable to work, due to my illness. However with this knowledge I am determined If I ever become well enough to use my skills to teach others, particulaly those in a similar situation to myself at the moment, to use the internet. I believe it can be very enpowering to people from all walks of life. Therefore I am determined to become a Digital Champion.
Niki Hubble - Fri, 03/06/2011 - 18:13
I have become a Digital Champion to pass on the skills that I have learnt.
Using a computer has opened up my own and my families life. I have found members of my family tree, both far and wide across the globe who I never knew I had. I have been able to trace my fammily back to Lord and Ladies and find members of the family living just around the corner. Have managed to get back in touch with old school friends and made many new friends.
It's the little pleasures in life that make everything worthwhile and if showing someone things like this, to bring a smile to their face then that what makes me happy. To have the ability to enhance someone else's life in such a small but positive way.
Sibylle Schmutzer - Fri, 03/06/2011 - 18:18
I moved from Austria to the UK 1.5 years ago now and I am already the 2nd child out of 3 for my parents to leave Austria. My sister Sabine lives in Chile since almost 17 years now. Back then the communication was mostly via fax with her. My father always refused to use a computer while he was still working, but my brother and I could persuade him after a long time, that he and my mum would greatly benefit from having a laptop with internet connection and a webcam. I also gave my sister a webcam and I set up a skype connection between her and my parents. My sister also has 2 children (now 15 and 8) and they can come over just every 2 years, so it is vital to have a video connection with them, so that the grandparents can see their grandchildren. With also me moving away, the network has become wider and now also my mum has learned to become independant from my father and use skype to get in touch with her 3 children and also some friends of her. Almost everytime I pass by my parents house, there are open questions to answer and updates to do. My father insists on doing everything himself, but he needs guidance. My experience from work in training people to use application comes in handy, because I am extremely patient and give my father the time he needs to sort things out for himself.
I like helping whomever to improve his/her computer skills and it is always very welcome, expecially from elder people because I am patient and they don't fell stupid, when doing it with me. Therefore I think, I am a very good candidate for becoming the Digital Champion!
Sarah Leatherdale - Fri, 03/06/2011 - 18:27
I'm an English & Media teacher. You think the schoolchildren of today are all computer-savvy? You'd be surprised! Most of them can play simple games on-line, and of course lots of them use facebook, but for a significant number of them, their skills end there. Of course, many of them don't have access to a computer - their families simply don't have the money to afford one. Without a full set of IT skills, they will be left behind. Even the delivery of important information is moving to the digital platform. Then, of course, there's all the little discounts and other ways of saving money that the people at the bottom end of the social ladder need so much. That's why I want to help. I want to empower the people that really need it.
Kirsty Charlton - Fri, 03/06/2011 - 20:18
I have gone on study another degree and have found the interent invalubale at finding research articles and conecting with people in other countires so I can get their perspective on health issues. I use power point, word, blackboard, wiki, just to name a few and it has made me so aware of not how much these tools not only help but can encahnce our learning and help us to connect to people we could not have done before.
With this in mind I ofren help other students who are finding technology difficult and i want to show people that the internect, computers and technology are not something to be feared and intimidated by, they are tools that can help and enric not only our learning but also our personal interactions. If it were not for Technology, studying courses with the OU would be much more difficult and I would hate to think that people feel held back by something that can be taught with a little time, patience and consideration. That's why I want to be a digital champion.
Mark Daniels - Fri, 03/06/2011 - 22:24
My parents and Grandparents are both sceptical and slight afraid of the digital age. However, I've tried to point out to them that they have completed far more difficult tasks during their lifetimes. My Father rode horses in the Army (far more difficult than being online) and my Mother raised myself and my brother!
Going online and using printers, scanners and so on aren't that bad and they can make life easier. Also, there's some enjoyment to be had as well!
It may be difficult helping people to overcome their digital fears and inhibitions, but it's incredibly rewarding.
Kim Reid - Fri, 03/06/2011 - 23:48
I am working with my son's school to bring e-learning into the curriculum. Hoping to take advantage of all the open source stuff flying around to create excellent lessons which tie in with curriculum for excellence.
Stuart Irvine - Sat, 04/06/2011 - 00:58
I have always used IT for most aspects of my life and am always willing to help others learn and to introduce to people who never have used computers before. My grandmother who was recentlly widowed needed a new pass-time. She bought herself a computer and was amazed at the amount of things that can be done with a computer. It is now an essential part of her life, she likes to make programmes for different clubs she is involved with. I have been there to guide her and also advised her to taka a we IT class at a local technical college, which she diid and very much enjoyed and got to meet new friends.
online shopping has also become another one of her passtimes also!!
There are far more of her friends now doing the same, its great to see everybody involved no matter what the age is. I will always be spreading the word.
Ed Clinkscales - Sat, 04/06/2011 - 08:18
I think that it is important to pass on the skills that I have learnt through the Open University and through life to both ends of the age spectrum. I'm helping my parents both in their 80's to use their 'new' PC and guiding them in getting to grips with 'this internet thing' even as far as using Skype to make phone calls, and I'm helping the younger generation in our extended family in a very similair way. It's a funny old world!
Karen Heenan-Davies - Sat, 04/06/2011 - 10:00
I have to travel extensively because of my job and time zone differences don't make it easy to keep in touch with home via the phone. My parents worry about a female travelling alone so like to know I'm ok. Its easy now that they have learned how to use a computer and email. It's been a gradual process - I started them off with an Amstrad e-phone and had to explain what email is about. Then they progressed to a monitor and keyboard and learned how to send attachments and store photographs. Now they have a laptop also and are asking about dongles (five years ago the word would have totally baffled them). Every time I visit them I end up giving an impromptu IT lesson to supplement what they are learning in their 'computers for the terrified' classes. My dad has astounded me by how fast he has progressed - he is now teaching me how to use EBay when I discovered he'd been using it to buy and sell some large wood turning equipment . Their new-found IT skills have made it possible for them to keep in contact with people they meet on their travels - they always seem to be emailing people in Australia. I'm becoming a digital champion because I've seen how its enriched my parents lives in their retirement - and there are others I'd like to help to have the same experience
Deborah Taylor - Sat, 04/06/2011 - 13:42
I am a mother to 5 children, am studying for an OU humanities degree and created and run the website for my husband's business.
My IT skills are completely self taught and I enjoy helping others to learn.
I've helped both of my parents to learn how to use computers and the internet.
shona bendix - Sat, 04/06/2011 - 19:44
Looking forward to spreading the IT word in Suffolk where I work, networked into the rural areas and dealing with many IT-challenged elderly people.
Alison Armfield - Sun, 05/06/2011 - 12:31
I try and help out friends who are even less computer literate than me and have been surprised to find that even though they have tried to get connected by having a few lessons or the on-line training available free they soon give up because of very minor computer problems.
For example - the machine stops working or runs so slowly because it is clogged up with temp. files and cookies. I produced a basic how to list to help friends use disk clean up and other regular maintanence, spent several days clearing out a friends laptop of unwanted files, because she let the kids go online with it- so she could get her University essay back, (not an OU student) she still hates the technology but can send and receive emails . Encouraged a friend to buy a basic software package and spent a few hours getting her connected - now she can email and receive photos of her family (especially the granddaughter) who live in Brazil. when she gets stuck she rings and usually I can talk her though any difficulties. If I get stuck I ask my teenage daughter!
Showing a personal benefit is the best way to encourage non-users to get on-line.
Janet Ritson - Sun, 05/06/2011 - 17:46
I work in education and the possibilities for digital literacy just keep expanding. Although we might think the younger generation, "the digital natives" are digitally literate I spend large amounts of time helping students learn some of the basics and encouraging them to use IT to make their learning more efficient. These are the very people we'll be relying on in the future to extend and develop the digital world.
Elizabeth Clapperton - Mon, 06/06/2011 - 12:32
Now that I have retired I feel the least I can do is try and pass on some of the skills I have learned to others
Tom Keegan - Mon, 06/06/2011 - 17:22
I find that as a tutor you do meet lots of students who struggle with IT and if you are able to pass on your skills (and tips) it helps them to reduce their stress and get into their studies quicker. It is too easy to assume that everyone is comfortable using IT. Showing people how they can enhance their learning and improve their studies is key to selling IT. As I said in another post sometimes IT can be a barrier to learning so anything you do to reduce it for people then all the better.
I will strive to be a digital champion but even I am learning new stuff all the time!!!!!!!!
Brenda Collins - Mon, 06/06/2011 - 23:13
Personal computing is such a boon for the elderly to keep in touch with family and friends who don't live within visiting distance (and also with those who do!)
I have an elderly neighbour who took an interest in getting a computer and learning how to email specifically to keep in contact with two of his children living abroad, in USA and Holland. Now he sends and receives their photos which, with young grand children growing all the time, he thinks is wonderful. From this beginning I've helped him research his family tree and now he puts together powerpoint presentations based on scanned old photographs.It's wonderful to see how personal computing has changed peopel's access to learning.
It's even more wonderful that internet access is free in our local libraries. I hope that government cuts don't affect that as I think that access to computers is so important for everyone today. We can all pass on our skills and tips to others as there's always something to share.
Richard Crawford - Tue, 07/06/2011 - 07:47
I just want to give other people the chance to get into what I have been doing since PC's started. I was fortunate to get into PC's when the first green and black screens came into being with 5 1/4 inch floppy drives. Also had one of the first laptops - an Amstrad with a 3 1/2 inch floppy. No HDD - my kids can't believe it! Anyway, I have been helping my mum and several others get into this world. And it's great
Rita Haligah - Wed, 08/06/2011 - 02:28
Adult Learners / Digital Immigrants
I started guiding adult learners (including retired ages) through basic ICT skills training using the Myguide as well as the usual one-to-one support of colleagues and friends every now and then. While they give opportunities for me to practice my ongoing OU training in Online and Distance Education, the sense of achievement, satisfaction and appreciation from everyone I support is very satisfying. Considering my Social Science background, it is rewarding to see that we can all be of some help in others' ICT literacy.
Sandy Beckwith - Wed, 08/06/2011 - 23:06
As the teaching assistant in charge of ICT in a primary school I have taught our children 'stay safe' internet skills, and also had the opportunity to run parent/carer internet workshops.
I now also volunteer for the Chernobyl 2000 charity, reformatting and cleaning up donated PCs and laptops to be shipped to schools, orphanges and homes in Belarus, which are still suffering the devastating effects of the terrible nuclear accident that happened there 25 years ago. It's great being able to help people while doing something I really enjoy too- messing about with IT
Alisa Shimoyama - Sun, 12/06/2011 - 21:18
I always used to hear teens my age talk about their dreams, and how they desperately wanted to achieve them, but they didn't really know where to start. So I started up Youths Do More to equip teens with information about employment, education, skills and more. One of the skills is using the Internet efficiently, so I'm currently giving lessons, in the form of posts, about intermediate ways of using the web. I've already covered HTML, and I'm now blogging about Google and how to use it. I do not only tell youths about the Internet, I also tell them about jobs online, and building a career on the web.
Sophie Moss - Sat, 18/06/2011 - 21:33
I belong to a local choir and the choir director is a technophobe. She's very busy music teacher and struggles with poor health. She recently in desparation asked for help to create a flyer to promote us, to give out at concerts, but didn't know how to do this herself. I've agreed to give her some tuition over the Summer holidays, a home-made version of 'Computing for the Terrified', hopefully giving her some basic skills and confidence that she can build on.
Colin Spurrell - Tue, 05/07/2011 - 21:56
I've started a computer help group at my church. So far we've got 9 helpers and 8 learners signed up so far, we're aiming for one-to-one to start with but then who knows! Our first session is on Monday 18th July at the Parish school using their computer suite which we're very grateful for. I've been amazed at how keen evryone has been to help and to learn something new.
Sean Conomy - Wed, 06/07/2011 - 15:49
I've been a Digital Champion for years because I have for a long time clearly seen the value of learning and the internet. It's learning without the constraints of formal education and for a lot of people this works. The trick is to be able to sift your way through what is fact and what is not. I often help member's of my family and friends to use the internet so they can achieve their objectives with whatever they are doing. For example, learning to be aware of what to look for and what to be cautious of when surfing online, security, etc.
I left a 25-year IT career 3 years ago to lecture at college in a different subject as 'geek' was never a good description of me, preferring people to computers. But now I do not have to cope with IT problems daily, I can use my knowledge to help others only when their lives can be enriched by IT
My father, who is 90, depends on his computer for keeping in touch with family and friends. He finds it difficult to read books as the print is too small and it is often difficult to find large print books he likes, so I am encouraging him to get a kindle.
I would like other older people to have the opportunities he has, to use modern technoloy to improve their lives.
I worked with Adults with Learning Disabilities and or Physical Disabilities and sensory impairments. I have been in this career for 25 years years during which time there has been so much progress within Computer software and hardware. Apple in particular with their touch screen / swipe screen technology. Combined with Organisations who have developed assistive technology to enable people to have greater freedom and balanced with safety systems. Ie alarms for epilepsy, GPS watches for people who wander, door safety systems. People with Autism and PC's all of these areas are ones which open up new opportunities and enable and empower people with disabilities to have more choice and control in their own lives, (communication systems) i promote the use of this and i pro actively support people with disabilities to gain access to their own IT and i encourage anyone parting with a functional pc to consider who they pass this on to.
i know the true benefits that will come within the next 5 yrs regarding wireless technology and combined with assistive technology this will open up further areas.
I see only positive outcomes for people with disabilities.
Being disabled and mostly house bound myself, I truly know how useful knowing how to use the internet can be. Whenever I talk to people I tell them how useful it is, not only for keeping in touch with people and so reducing isolation, but also for the many services you can use on it. I am often suprised how many people don't use it. I think everyone should be able to use the internet, its one of the best tools out there. I am doing a degree in IT with the Open university as I am not unable to work, due to my illness. However with this knowledge I am determined If I ever become well enough to use my skills to teach others, particulaly those in a similar situation to myself at the moment, to use the internet. I believe it can be very enpowering to people from all walks of life. Therefore I am determined to become a Digital Champion.
I have become a Digital Champion to pass on the skills that I have learnt.
Using a computer has opened up my own and my families life. I have found members of my family tree, both far and wide across the globe who I never knew I had. I have been able to trace my fammily back to Lord and Ladies and find members of the family living just around the corner. Have managed to get back in touch with old school friends and made many new friends.
It's the little pleasures in life that make everything worthwhile and if showing someone things like this, to bring a smile to their face then that what makes me happy. To have the ability to enhance someone else's life in such a small but positive way.
I moved from Austria to the UK 1.5 years ago now and I am already the 2nd child out of 3 for my parents to leave Austria. My sister Sabine lives in Chile since almost 17 years now. Back then the communication was mostly via fax with her. My father always refused to use a computer while he was still working, but my brother and I could persuade him after a long time, that he and my mum would greatly benefit from having a laptop with internet connection and a webcam. I also gave my sister a webcam and I set up a skype connection between her and my parents. My sister also has 2 children (now 15 and 8) and they can come over just every 2 years, so it is vital to have a video connection with them, so that the grandparents can see their grandchildren. With also me moving away, the network has become wider and now also my mum has learned to become independant from my father and use skype to get in touch with her 3 children and also some friends of her. Almost everytime I pass by my parents house, there are open questions to answer and updates to do. My father insists on doing everything himself, but he needs guidance. My experience from work in training people to use application comes in handy, because I am extremely patient and give my father the time he needs to sort things out for himself.
I like helping whomever to improve his/her computer skills and it is always very welcome, expecially from elder people because I am patient and they don't fell stupid, when doing it with me. Therefore I think, I am a very good candidate for becoming the Digital Champion!
I'm an English & Media teacher. You think the schoolchildren of today are all computer-savvy? You'd be surprised! Most of them can play simple games on-line, and of course lots of them use facebook, but for a significant number of them, their skills end there. Of course, many of them don't have access to a computer - their families simply don't have the money to afford one. Without a full set of IT skills, they will be left behind. Even the delivery of important information is moving to the digital platform. Then, of course, there's all the little discounts and other ways of saving money that the people at the bottom end of the social ladder need so much. That's why I want to help. I want to empower the people that really need it.
I have gone on study another degree and have found the interent invalubale at finding research articles and conecting with people in other countires so I can get their perspective on health issues. I use power point, word, blackboard, wiki, just to name a few and it has made me so aware of not how much these tools not only help but can encahnce our learning and help us to connect to people we could not have done before.
With this in mind I ofren help other students who are finding technology difficult and i want to show people that the internect, computers and technology are not something to be feared and intimidated by, they are tools that can help and enric not only our learning but also our personal interactions. If it were not for Technology, studying courses with the OU would be much more difficult and I would hate to think that people feel held back by something that can be taught with a little time, patience and consideration. That's why I want to be a digital champion.
My parents and Grandparents are both sceptical and slight afraid of the digital age. However, I've tried to point out to them that they have completed far more difficult tasks during their lifetimes. My Father rode horses in the Army (far more difficult than being online) and my Mother raised myself and my brother!
Going online and using printers, scanners and so on aren't that bad and they can make life easier. Also, there's some enjoyment to be had as well!
It may be difficult helping people to overcome their digital fears and inhibitions, but it's incredibly rewarding.
I am working with my son's school to bring e-learning into the curriculum. Hoping to take advantage of all the open source stuff flying around to create excellent lessons which tie in with curriculum for excellence.
I have always used IT for most aspects of my life and am always willing to help others learn and to introduce to people who never have used computers before. My grandmother who was recentlly widowed needed a new pass-time. She bought herself a computer and was amazed at the amount of things that can be done with a computer. It is now an essential part of her life, she likes to make programmes for different clubs she is involved with. I have been there to guide her and also advised her to taka a we IT class at a local technical college, which she diid and very much enjoyed and got to meet new friends.
online shopping has also become another one of her passtimes also!!
There are far more of her friends now doing the same, its great to see everybody involved no matter what the age is. I will always be spreading the word.
I think that it is important to pass on the skills that I have learnt through the Open University and through life to both ends of the age spectrum. I'm helping my parents both in their 80's to use their 'new' PC and guiding them in getting to grips with 'this internet thing' even as far as using Skype to make phone calls, and I'm helping the younger generation in our extended family in a very similair way. It's a funny old world!
I have to travel extensively because of my job and time zone differences don't make it easy to keep in touch with home via the phone. My parents worry about a female travelling alone so like to know I'm ok. Its easy now that they have learned how to use a computer and email. It's been a gradual process - I started them off with an Amstrad e-phone and had to explain what email is about. Then they progressed to a monitor and keyboard and learned how to send attachments and store photographs. Now they have a laptop also and are asking about dongles (five years ago the word would have totally baffled them). Every time I visit them I end up giving an impromptu IT lesson to supplement what they are learning in their 'computers for the terrified' classes. My dad has astounded me by how fast he has progressed - he is now teaching me how to use EBay when I discovered he'd been using it to buy and sell some large wood turning equipment . Their new-found IT skills have made it possible for them to keep in contact with people they meet on their travels - they always seem to be emailing people in Australia. I'm becoming a digital champion because I've seen how its enriched my parents lives in their retirement - and there are others I'd like to help to have the same experience
I am a mother to 5 children, am studying for an OU humanities degree and created and run the website for my husband's business.
My IT skills are completely self taught and I enjoy helping others to learn.
I've helped both of my parents to learn how to use computers and the internet.
Looking forward to spreading the IT word in Suffolk where I work, networked into the rural areas and dealing with many IT-challenged elderly people.
I try and help out friends who are even less computer literate than me and have been surprised to find that even though they have tried to get connected by having a few lessons or the on-line training available free they soon give up because of very minor computer problems.
For example - the machine stops working or runs so slowly because it is clogged up with temp. files and cookies. I produced a basic how to list to help friends use disk clean up and other regular maintanence, spent several days clearing out a friends laptop of unwanted files, because she let the kids go online with it- so she could get her University essay back, (not an OU student) she still hates the technology but can send and receive emails . Encouraged a friend to buy a basic software package and spent a few hours getting her connected - now she can email and receive photos of her family (especially the granddaughter) who live in Brazil. when she gets stuck she rings and usually I can talk her though any difficulties. If I get stuck I ask my teenage daughter!
Showing a personal benefit is the best way to encourage non-users to get on-line.
I work in education and the possibilities for digital literacy just keep expanding. Although we might think the younger generation, "the digital natives" are digitally literate I spend large amounts of time helping students learn some of the basics and encouraging them to use IT to make their learning more efficient. These are the very people we'll be relying on in the future to extend and develop the digital world.
Now that I have retired I feel the least I can do is try and pass on some of the skills I have learned to others
I find that as a tutor you do meet lots of students who struggle with IT and if you are able to pass on your skills (and tips) it helps them to reduce their stress and get into their studies quicker. It is too easy to assume that everyone is comfortable using IT. Showing people how they can enhance their learning and improve their studies is key to selling IT. As I said in another post sometimes IT can be a barrier to learning so anything you do to reduce it for people then all the better.
I will strive to be a digital champion but even I am learning new stuff all the time!!!!!!!!
Personal computing is such a boon for the elderly to keep in touch with family and friends who don't live within visiting distance (and also with those who do!)
I have an elderly neighbour who took an interest in getting a computer and learning how to email specifically to keep in contact with two of his children living abroad, in USA and Holland. Now he sends and receives their photos which, with young grand children growing all the time, he thinks is wonderful. From this beginning I've helped him research his family tree and now he puts together powerpoint presentations based on scanned old photographs.It's wonderful to see how personal computing has changed peopel's access to learning.
It's even more wonderful that internet access is free in our local libraries. I hope that government cuts don't affect that as I think that access to computers is so important for everyone today. We can all pass on our skills and tips to others as there's always something to share.
I just want to give other people the chance to get into what I have been doing since PC's started. I was fortunate to get into PC's when the first green and black screens came into being with 5 1/4 inch floppy drives. Also had one of the first laptops - an Amstrad with a 3 1/2 inch floppy. No HDD - my kids can't believe it! Anyway, I have been helping my mum and several others get into this world. And it's great
Adult Learners / Digital Immigrants
I started guiding adult learners (including retired ages) through basic ICT skills training using the Myguide as well as the usual one-to-one support of colleagues and friends every now and then. While they give opportunities for me to practice my ongoing OU training in Online and Distance Education, the sense of achievement, satisfaction and appreciation from everyone I support is very satisfying. Considering my Social Science background, it is rewarding to see that we can all be of some help in others' ICT literacy.
As the teaching assistant in charge of ICT in a primary school I have taught our children 'stay safe' internet skills, and also had the opportunity to run parent/carer internet workshops.
I now also volunteer for the Chernobyl 2000 charity, reformatting and cleaning up donated PCs and laptops to be shipped to schools, orphanges and homes in Belarus, which are still suffering the devastating effects of the terrible nuclear accident that happened there 25 years ago. It's great being able to help people while doing something I really enjoy too- messing about with IT
I always used to hear teens my age talk about their dreams, and how they desperately wanted to achieve them, but they didn't really know where to start. So I started up Youths Do More to equip teens with information about employment, education, skills and more. One of the skills is using the Internet efficiently, so I'm currently giving lessons, in the form of posts, about intermediate ways of using the web. I've already covered HTML, and I'm now blogging about Google and how to use it. I do not only tell youths about the Internet, I also tell them about jobs online, and building a career on the web.
I belong to a local choir and the choir director is a technophobe. She's very busy music teacher and struggles with poor health. She recently in desparation asked for help to create a flyer to promote us, to give out at concerts, but didn't know how to do this herself. I've agreed to give her some tuition over the Summer holidays, a home-made version of 'Computing for the Terrified', hopefully giving her some basic skills and confidence that she can build on.
I've started a computer help group at my church. So far we've got 9 helpers and 8 learners signed up so far, we're aiming for one-to-one to start with but then who knows! Our first session is on Monday 18th July at the Parish school using their computer suite which we're very grateful for. I've been amazed at how keen evryone has been to help and to learn something new.
I've been a Digital Champion for years because I have for a long time clearly seen the value of learning and the internet. It's learning without the constraints of formal education and for a lot of people this works. The trick is to be able to sift your way through what is fact and what is not. I often help member's of my family and friends to use the internet so they can achieve their objectives with whatever they are doing. For example, learning to be aware of what to look for and what to be cautious of when surfing online, security, etc.